Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title COASTAL AND ESTUARY PROCESSES
Code CIVE487
Coordinator Dr M Li
Civil Engineering and Industrial Design
M.Li@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 7 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

To introduce students to the work required in the coastal and estuary environment; to illustrate some of the problems with which they must deal, and to provide them with the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to contribute to the solution of these problems.


Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the roles played in society by coastal engineers, the ways in which tides and surges are generated, how to describe waves,  the importance of sediment transport in coastal areas, the significance of mixing process in estuaries and factor s involved in the design of sea outfalls.

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of  the limitation of existing theories.
On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate ability in  using linear wave theory to predict water motions, the effects of wave shoaling, describing random waves and predicting extreme wave conditions from suitable data.
On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate ability in simple calculations to predict coastal sediment transport

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate ability in designing sea outfalls accounting for salt intrusion and sedimentation.


Syllabus

1 Introduction to coastal and estuary processes: assessing the environment; identifying needs, postulating solutions, estimating loadings, etc.

2 Linear and non-linear wave theories: initial assumptions; basic equations; regions of validity.

3 Wave generation and the description of random waves: short-term and long-term; characteristic values of wave height and period; the Rayleigh distribution; wave spectra; linking probabilistic and spectral descriptions.

 

4 Wave transformation: wave shoaling; wave refraction, Snell''s Law; refraction patterns; wave diffraction and reflection.

5 Surf zone dynamics: wave breaking; setup and setdown; long-shore current; undertow.

6 Sediment transport: sediment mobility; bedload; bedforms ; suspended load; sediment transport modelling.

7 Morphodynamics: shoreline position; sediment budgets; regional prediction.

8 Coast & estuary types – modelling issues

9 Tides, storm surges and related processes

10 Principles of sediment transport in estuaries

11 Natural habitats and management options.

12 Roles of dredging, embankments and piers  and other aspects.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Introducing basic concepts and theory for wave process, nearshore morphology and estuary process


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 36
Introducing basic concepts and theory for wave process, nearshore morphology and estuary process
          36
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 114
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Unseen Written Exam  3 hours  First Semester  80  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  exam Notes (applying to all assessments) Exercise on linear wave theory This work is not anonymously marked. Sea outfal design This work is not anonymously marked Exam  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Coursework  4 weeks, 6 pages app  First Semester  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Linear wave theory 
Coursework  4 weeks, 6 pages app  First Semester  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Estuary pollution 

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: